SENATE RESOLUTION

8773

By Senator Finkbeiner, Sheahan and B. Sheldon

WHEREAS, the founders of Microsoft returned to their native state of Washington in 1979, bringing with them a little company called Microsoft and the beginning of an industry; and

WHEREAS, Microsoft Corporation, through the hard work, resolve and dedication of its employees, transformed a beautiful site in Redmond, Washington into a state-of-the-art campus recognized around the world for its high technology and even higher aspirations; and

WHEREAS, Microsoft, though the recognized leader in technology software, continues to strive to improve and innovate its products, positioning itself to lead the world during the next evolution of technology in this Digital Decade; and

WHEREAS, Microsoft adds over $3 billion to Washington's gross state product annually, creating and supporting, for every Microsoft position, over three additional non-Microsoft jobs in the region, expanding Microsoft's economic benefits well beyond its Redmond campus; and

WHEREAS, Microsoft and its employees have since its inception exemplified the spirit of the Northwest by recognizing that meaningful impacts on people's live go beyond economic benefits; and

WHEREAS, Microsoft employees, in keeping with the Microsoft vision of the future and their own personal generosity, have proven their stalwart and enthusiastic support for the state of Washington by donating to countless social programs, funding events for culture and the arts and contributing their time and expertise to our communities as members of numerous civic and governmental organizations, from serving on local community boards to the United Way;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honors Microsoft and all Microsoft employees for their dedicated service and the commitment shown in their work and for the innumerable contributions made to the State of Washington; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to William H. Gates, III, Chairman of the Board, Microsoft Corporation and Steven A. Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer, Rick Belluzzo, Chief Operating Officer, and Deborah Willingham, Senior Vice President, Human Resources.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8773,

adopted by the Senate February 28, 2002.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate